Vikings down Edenton Holmes

Published: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 at 11:11 PM.

The Vikings’ defense held Holmes (7-12-1) to only three shots on goal, two saved by sophomore keeper Matthew Burwell, while their offense had three times as many chances with nine shots.

Although Vanclooster, who now has 17 goals on the year and is a candidate for Eastern Plains 2A Conference player of the year honors, scored both goals — each assisted by Evan Hood and Robert Blake — he felt the win was a total team effort.

“It feels good, but I’m not the only one on the team,” Vanclooster, a right wing, said. “It was a hard game, but we were better.”

Before Wednesday’s win Kinston had lost all five of its previous first round state playoff matches (the NCHSAA incorrectly has the Vikings as 0-1 all-time in the state postseason in records listed on its website).

Although it was frigid and left him wanting a hot shower and a cup of hot chocolate, Romig hopes to be getting another cooler of ice dumped on him when the Vikings travel to Carrboro (14-6-3) for their first second round match.

“Hopefully we’re not done. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Saturday,” Romig said. “Saturday’s going to be maybe a little bit bigger team than this.”

Kinston boys soccer coach Joe Romig shivered Wednesday night as he addressed his team during its post-match pep talk.

For the first time in his career — and the career of any boys soccer coach at the school — the 15-year coach earned the ever-elusive Gatorade bath that comes with winning a state playoff match.

Foreign exchange student Stan Vanclooster scored two goals and helped the Vikings shut out visiting Edenton Holmes 2-0 in a first round NCHSAA state 2A playoff match for the first state playoff win in Vikings male soccer history.

“I think that to be successful you have to get into these kind of games, you have to feel what it feels like to get that adrenaline going when the pressure’s on the line,” a soaked Romig said.

“For me, this is what I’ve wanted my entire career. This is my fourth playoff appearance — my first win. For me, I feel vindicated. … I’m just proud to be a part of this team.”

Vanclooster, an 18-year-old from Belgium who is in the states to brush up on his English, he said, connected early in the first half then iced it with 9 1/2 minutes to play on a night when Kinston (11-5-1) controlled nearly every facet of the match.

The Vikings’ defense held Holmes (7-12-1) to only three shots on goal, two saved by sophomore keeper Matthew Burwell, while their offense had three times as many chances with nine shots.

Although Vanclooster, who now has 17 goals on the year and is a candidate for Eastern Plains 2A Conference player of the year honors, scored both goals — each assisted by Evan Hood and Robert Blake — he felt the win was a total team effort.

“It feels good, but I’m not the only one on the team,” Vanclooster, a right wing, said. “It was a hard game, but we were better.”

Before Wednesday’s win Kinston had lost all five of its previous first round state playoff matches (the NCHSAA incorrectly has the Vikings as 0-1 all-time in the state postseason in records listed on its website).

Although it was frigid and left him wanting a hot shower and a cup of hot chocolate, Romig hopes to be getting another cooler of ice dumped on him when the Vikings travel to Carrboro (14-6-3) for their first second round match.

“Hopefully we’re not done. Hopefully we can carry this momentum into Saturday,” Romig said. “Saturday’s going to be maybe a little bit bigger team than this.”

Ryan Herman can be reached at 252-559-1073 or Ryan.Herman@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter: @KFPSports.